Visiting EU without CE Certification

[PyotrBee]

We moved from a country which was not EU, but joined before we left. We sailed there using others boats before it was EU.

Now we live in Caribbean. We are looking at a boat that is not CE certified and is from 2001 (ie post exemption). We do not foresee ever flagging the boat in the EU, but some day we might sail across and visit EU countries.

Is it correct that the CE certification requirement only applies if we were to flag our vessel in an EU country or to stay in they EU beyond some time limit, but that we would be allowed to "visit" the EU countries with our non CE certified boat?

[multihullsailor6]

Originally Posted by PyotrBee

Is it correct that the CE certification requirement only applies if we were to flag our vessel in an EU country or to stay in they EU beyond some time limit, but that we would be allowed to "visit" the EU countries with our non CE certified boat?

I believe you are correct with this statement.

[Talbot]

IIRC CE Certification (and RCD classification) is only important if you want to sell the boat in the EU.

[osirissail]

The requirements must not be very difficult to meet as Europeans purchase a lot of US boats new and used versions quite often and take them back to Europe.

[PyotrBee]

Originally Posted by osirissail

The requirements must not be very difficult to meet as Europeans purchase a lot of US boats new and used versions quite often and take them back to Europe.

Depends on the boat. There are companies that will help you certify your boat, but it takes time and often a few mods. Ive read (not confirmed) for example that cats have to have an escape hatch.

Europeans are also much better "tax dodgers" than Americans and its almost a national sport in many countries, much to do with how things work there. Its a slap on the wrist and small financial penalty in most of the EU versus jail time in the US. (trying not to get too far off discussion). But because of this many well to do Europeans (and thus boat buyers) have off shore companies and can register their boats there and bring them in short term. Many Europeans also keep their boats in Turkey and formerly Cyprus (and maybe Malta) (but they are now EU).

[MacG]

Please do not err here. There is an escape hatch when your boat is a racing vessel only. Today any non-EU boat needs an inspection and sometimes modification(s). It helps, when you have a boat that is already available on the EU market (like Catalina). If not, you are sure destined for a financial rip off that will run into 6-7000 US$. Paperwork done by licensee(s) are the reason for that. They are in a monopoly position and they use it till full extend.

For visiting purposes only, you are allowed to stay for two or 3 months. Hence, no certification is required unless you want to sell the boat.
So, as long as you do not change flag, sell or import your boat, nothing happens.

[sokkum]

There's no requirement for a CE certification and no need for inspection if you are visiting Europe and you are a private owner - for a stay in Europe longer than 6 month VAT could be applied in some countries.
There's no certification needed by selling your boat.

[goboatingnow]

I'm a bit late to this thread, but some old nonsense is still being touted around

for a stay in Europe longer than 6 month VAT could be applied in some countries.

WRONG

Firstly if you are a EU citizen or an EU tax resident then all that follows DOES NOT apply

for a non EU citizen or tax resident you can bring in ANY boat with or without CE certification into the EU for upto 18 months. after that the boat can be accessed for VAT ( there are some extensions poissible). Also at that time the boat on paying its VAT is deemed to be imported into the EU and hence is meant to be CE certified, however tax authorities dont care about CE certs and currently enforcement is low. HOWEVER you remain liable for fines into the future if you do not CE cert the boat even if you sell it. ( in the EU)

You are not allowed to sell any boat built after 1994, ( built anywahere in the world) in the EU without a CE cert , irrespective if you are a private, corporate, foreign or domestic owner.

The requirements must not be very difficult to meet as Europeans purchase a lot of US boats new and used versions quite often and take them back to Europe.

no they dont the number of actual US boats in the EU is very low, given that europeans dominate the world wide market in volume production of yachts this is understandable. You will spend a long time cruising european marina before you see any genuine US built boats. ( owned by EU citizens)

Europeans are also much better "tax dodgers" than Americans and its almost a national sport in many countries, much to do with how things work there. Its a slap on the wrist and small financial penalty in most of the EU versus jail time in the US

this is just muyth and urban legend stuff I can assure you that the UK, German and French tax authorities have jailed quite a few tax dodgers over the years. It may be a "national sport" talking about it, but few actually do it